AFC Leopards seal Tom Olaba's fate as assistant John Busolo to handle team for mid-week clash

By Otieno Otieno

Ingwe vice-chairman Walter Onyino reveals to Goal.com that that the embattled tactician has been asked to leave the team in the hands of assistant Busolo and Muyoti

AFC Leopards have recalled coach Tom Olaba back to Nairobi despite the team having a crucial mid-week Kenyan Premier League match against Homeboyz in an indication that his career could be over at the club.

The club's vice-chairman Walter Onyino said on Wednesday the coach was asked to leave the team in the hands of assistant coaches John Busolo and Nicholas Muyoti who will be in charge of the team's matches against Homeboyz on Wednesday and KCB on Saturday. Both fixtures will be at Mumias Complex.

"We have recalled the coach back to Nairobi to protect him from the fans who have threatened to harm him. He is still a member of our staff and we have to do everything possible to keep him safe," he told Goal.com.

As for Olaba's future, Onyino said it was still under discussion and the club management committee were scheduled to meet him later in the day.

"We have not decided what to do with him. Whether to deploy or sack him. What i can assure our fans is that he will no longer be the head coach because we are getting someone to replace him," he said.

On Monday, Onyino said the club has completed plans to bring in a foreign coach in a bid to end their poor run in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

This comes after Leopards went down 2-1 to Muhoroni Youth at Awendo Stadium on Saturday.

He also revealed that the troubled Olaba has been relegated back to his previous position of assistant coach on which he was initially appointed.

"I can confirm that in the next two days, we will have a foreign coach to handle Leopards. We cannot sit and watch the club to go down the drain. We must act before it is too late."

Onyino further claimed the management is concerned that Olaba has failed to manage the players and complained of division in the playing unit.

"We hear the players are not working together and the coach has not been able to manage such divisions. We are therefore, looking for someone neutral who should b able to work with the playing unit and bring out the positive results we are looking for."

Saturday's loss was the second in five matches for Leopards. The team also lost to Karuturi Sports 3-2 three weeks ago but bounced back briefly with a 1-0 win over Western Stima.